BTW what's with Starbucks on every corner in Seattle?

Starbucks is a franchise business. People who own a Starbucks coffee shop own their franchise, but Starbucks still gets a percentage of the money that each franchise makes. It's no big deal for Starbucks to have a shop right across the street from each other, because while the franchises are competing against each other, Starbucks itself just doubled their money. To them, it's better to have another one of their shops on that second corner, than their competition "Seattle's Best".

I just think it's a bit strange that the franchieses can compete with so many of them around.

I'm actually not sure where the nearest Starbuck's is to where I live and work. I occasionally grab breakfast at either the place across the street from my apt building or the one in the ground floor of my office building, but I'm too lazy to walk much further than that - though I still didn't spot a Starbuck's nearer than six blocks or so when I was exploring.

You must not be downtown then

It's funny though. There may not be a Starbucks on every block, but there is almost an espresso stand or shop on every block.

It's like that in Spokane, too. Not so much in Tri-Cities, although there are seven Starbucks that I know of. And at least twenty-three Starbucks in Spokane. That's not counting all the baristas that are in Albertsons and Safeway Grocery Stores.

Yes, I've become a coffe conniseur since moving to Washington. Actually, not really, but I was a barista for a while.

Really? Was it your own stand, or did you work for someone else?

It was someone else. In a training meeting they all thought I was crazy when I said I used to drink instant coffee before coming to WA

Ew, instant coffee. I only drink that if I'm desperate. I try not to drink automatic drip coffee, either, unless it's the only thing a restaurant has. At home I use a french press, and if I'm on the road I'll stop at an espresso stand, usually Starbucks since I can trust that their coffee will be the same every time, every where. Some espresso stands just don't cut it.

Belltown, supposedly?

Mmm, Starbucks.

Oh, and someone come visit me, I'm bored.

Who's out in Spokane?

I used to be. Now I live in crappy Tri-Cities.

I'm here.

I'll bring you all mochi or some daifuku. Someday! And genmaicha, lot better than coffee.

That's a pretty large area...

My sister is in Tri-Cities...I need to get out there to see her, it's been a few years.

Not really, the north end of that island is our town, and I live within it.

Isn't the north end of that island in Canada? Or is it the other way around, the south end of some Canadian island in Washington? Hmm...


I'm here